Pirate spider

Fact Box Species: Australomimetus species or a related genus (QM) Previous species name: None Family: Mimetidae Body length: female: 5 mm male: about 4 mm Habitat: Usually on green leaves but are sometimes found in the webs of other spiders they are attacking; they rarely make webs of their own Toxicity: Unknown; this species is very small and bitings are rare

Legs retracted The leg spines Close-up of spines The male

These spiders are called pirate spiders because they feed on other spiders rather than on insects. They no not use webbing to catch their prey but may use a small amount as protection for their eggs and subsequent spiderlings.

Mimetids are characterised by a row of large curved spines separated by sets of small spines on the tibia and the next segment (the metatarsus) of the first pair of legs.

The first two pairs of legs are much longer than the other two pairs and sometimes fold back over the spider's body. All legs are obviously spiny but the spines are not as erect as on oxyopid spiders.

Spider(s) with a very similar appearance: Some oxyopid species, such as Oxyopes elegans